Patents Assigned to VGX PHARMACEUTICALS
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Publication number: 20190167983Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering an electropermeabilizing pulse of electric energy to a tissue surface to enable delivery into cells in the tissue therapeutic substances. The device incorporates a source capable of generating a sufficient voltage potential to deliver a spark across a gap and delivers same to the tissue surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: VGX Pharmaceuticals, LLCInventors: Thomas Joseph KARDOS, Stephen Vincent KEMMERRER, Rune KJEKEN, Kate BRODERICK, Jay MCCOY, Michael P. FONS
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Patent number: 10232173Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering an electropermeabilizing pulse of electric energy to a tissue surface to enable delivery into cells in the tissue therapeutic substances. The device incorporates a source capable of generating a sufficient voltage potential to deliver a spark across a gap and delivers same to the tissue surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, LLCInventors: Thomas Joseph Kardos, Stephen Vincent Kemmerer, Rune Kjeken, Kate Broderick, Jay McCoy, Michael P Fons
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Patent number: 9452285Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to electroporation devices and methods of using same to effectively facilitate the introduction of a biomolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body, in particular skin such as intradermic or subcutaneous tissue. In some aspects, the present invention is a skin EP device, which produces a pulse of energy and delivers same to the skin tissue using a skin electrode array and maintains a constant current in the same skin tissue based on user input, including a preset current, and allows the storage and acquisition of current waveform data.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Amir S. Khan
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Patent number: 8961994Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to isolated nucleic acids that encode a consensus DIII domain of protein E and vaccines made using same, and also methods for using the aforementioned to generate in a host an immune response against multiple serotypes of flavivirus, particularly West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis virus.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, LLCInventors: Mathura P. Ramanathan, Niranjan Y Sardesai
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Patent number: 8962818Abstract: Compositions and kits comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes GHRH and a nucleotide sequence that encodes GnRH and compositions and kits comprising a GHRH protein and GnRH protein are disclosed. Use of such compositions and kits in methods of enhancing fertility in mammals comprising the step of administering said compositions to the mammal are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Amir Khan, Patricia Brown
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Patent number: 8927508Abstract: There are provided methods of generating antibodies in a mammal against recombinant antigens using DNA plasmids capable of expressing said antigens in cells of said mammal, comprising: injecting into tissue of said mammal a DNA plasmid comprising an encoding sequence operably linked to a promoter, electroporating said tissue with an electroporation device capable of delivering an electrical pulse effective to electroporate cells of said tissue to allow entry of said DNA plasmid and expression of said antigen, and allowing said mammal to respond to said expressed antigen in order to generate antibodies to said antigen. Furthermore, there are provided methods of isolating antibodies specific against desired antigens wherein said antibodies are generated in a mammal using DNA plasmids capable of expressing said antigens.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Amir S. Khan
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Patent number: 8835620Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is related to nucleic acid constructs capable of expressing a polypeptide that elicits an immune response in a mammal against more than one subtype of dengue virus, and methods of use thereof. Additionally, there are DNA plasmid vaccines capable of generating in a mammal an immune response against a plurality of dengue virus subtypes, comprising a DNA plasmid and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and methods of use thereof. The DNA plasmid is capable of expressing a consensus dengue antigen in a cell of the mammal in a quantity effective to elicit an immune response in the mammal.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, LLCInventors: Mathura P. Ramanathan, Niranjan Sardesai
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Patent number: 8563302Abstract: One aspect of the current invention is an optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid with a mutated origin of replication (e.g. “mut” family of plasmids) comprising a therapeutic element, and a replication element. The therapeutic elements of this plasmid are operatively linked and located in a first operatively-linked arrangement. Additionally, the optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid comprises replication elements, wherein the replication elements are operatively linked and located in a second operatively-linked arrangement. The first-operatively-linked arrangement and the second-operatively-linked arrangement comprise a circular structure of the codon optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Melissa Pope
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Patent number: 8481504Abstract: Composition and method for stimulating angiogenesis, stimulating myogenesis, upregulating angiogenic factors and angiopoietins, and treating the muscular and vascular complications of diabetes. Overall, the embodiments of the invention can be accomplished by delivering a heterologous nucleic acid sequence encoding insulin-like growth factor I (“IGF-I”) or a functional biological equivalent thereof into the cells of the subject and allowing expression of the encoded gene to occur while the modified cells are within the subject. The nucleic acid sequence maybe delivered by a vector system including a synthetic myogenic promoter and a 3? untranslated region. The preferred method to deliver the constitutive or inducible nucleic acid encoding sequences of IGF-I or the functional biological equivalents thereof is directly into the cells of the subject by the process of in vivo electroporation.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Rabinovsky, Ruxandra Draghia-Akli
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Patent number: 8209006Abstract: An electroporation device which may be used to effectively facilitate the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The electroporation device comprises an electro-kinetic device (“EKD”) whose operation is specified by software or firmware. The EKD produces a series of programmable constant-current pulse patterns between electrodes in an array based on user control and input of the pulse parameters and allows the storage and acquisition of current waveform data. The electroporation device also comprises a replaceable electrode disk having an array of needle electrodes, a central injection channel for an injection needle, and a removable guide disk.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Louis C. Smith, Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Amir S. Khan, Robert H. Carpenter, Jeff Darnell
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Patent number: 8188056Abstract: One aspect of the current invention is a method of preventing and/or treating arthritis and/or preventing or treating lameness in a subject. Additionally, subject quality of life and welfare, and body condition scores are improved by utilizing methodology that administers the nucleic acid expression construct encoding a GHRH or functional biological equivalent to a subject through a parenteral route of administration. Following a single dose of nucleic acid expression vector, subjects are healthier and effects are demonstrated long term without additional administration(s) of the expression construct.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Patricia A. Brown, David Hood
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Patent number: 8178504Abstract: The present invention pertains to compositions and methods useful for treating anemia and other effects that are commonly associated in cancer bearing animals. The invention is accomplished by delivering an effective amount of a nucleic acid expression construct that encodes a GHRH or functional biological equivalent thereof into a tissue of an animal and allowing expression of the encoded gene in the animal.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Robert H. Carpenter, Douglas R. Kern, Robert J. Schwartz, Glen King, Kevin Hahn, Malcolm K. Brenner
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Publication number: 20120046598Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering an electropermeabilizing pulse of electric energy to a tissue surface to enable delivery into cells in the tissue therapeutic substances. The device incorporates a source capable of generating a sufficient voltage potential to deliver a spark across a gap and delivers same to the tissue surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: VGX PHARMACEUTICALS, LLCInventors: Thomas Joseph Kardos, Stephen Vincent Kemmerer, Rune Kjeken, Kate Broderick, Jay McCoy, Michael P Fons
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Patent number: 8058253Abstract: This invention is related to compositions and methods for decreasing cholesterol levels in a subject. The method utilizes a nucleic acid expression construct that encodes a growth-hormone-releasing-hormone (“GHRH”) that is delivered into a tissue of the subject, wherein, GHRH is expressed in vivo in the subject.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Amir S. Khan, Marta L. Fiorroto
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Publication number: 20110070640Abstract: One aspect of the current invention is an optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid with a mutated origin of replication (e.g. “mut” family of plasmids) comprising a therapeutic element, and a replication element. The therapeutic elements of this plasmid are operatively linked and located in a first operatively-linked arrangement. Additionally, the optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid comprises replication elements, wherein the replication elements are operatively linked and located in a second operatively-linked arrangement. The first-operatively-linked arrangement and the second-operatively-linked arrangement comprise a circular structure of the codon optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: VGX PHARMACEUTICALS, LLCInventors: Ruxandra DRAGHIA-AKLI, Melissa POPE
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Publication number: 20110034544Abstract: Compositions and kits comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes GHRH and a nucleotide sequence that encodes GnRH and compositions and kits comprising a GHRH protein and GnRH protein are disclosed. Use of such compositions and kits in methods of enhancing fertility in mammals comprising the step of administering said compositions to the mammal are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: VGX PHARMACEUTICALS, LLCInventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Amir Khan, Patricia Brown
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Patent number: 7846720Abstract: One aspect of the current invention is an optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid with a mutated origin of replication (e.g. “mut” family of plasmids). This new plasmid comprises a therapeutic element, and a replication element. The therapeutic element of the new plasmid comprises a eukaryotic promoter; a 5? untranslated region (“UTR”); a codon-optimized-eukaryotic therapeutic gene sequence; and a poly adenylation signal. The therapeutic elements of this plasmid are operatively linked and located in a first operatively-linked arrangement. Additionally, the optimized synthetic mammalian expression plasmid comprises replication elements, wherein the replication elements are operatively linked and located in a second operatively-linked arrangement. The replication elements comprise a selectable marker gene promoter, a ribosomal binding site, a selectable marker gene sequence, and an improved origin of replication.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Melissa Pope
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Publication number: 20100291144Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is related to nucleic acid constructs capable of expressing a polypeptide that elicits an immune response in a mammal against more than one subtype of dengue virus, and methods of use thereof. Additionally, there are DNA plasmid vaccines capable of generating in a mammal an immune response against a plurality of dengue virus subtypes, comprising a DNA plasmid and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and methods of use thereof. The DNA plasmid is capable of expressing a consensus dengue antigen in a cell of the mammal in a quantity effective to elicit an immune response in the mammal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: VGX PHARMACEUTICALS, LLCInventors: Mathura P Ramanathan, Niranjan Y Sardesai
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Publication number: 20100247437Abstract: The present invention is directed towards materials and methods of delivering biomolecules to cells that define an organ, and the organ being in situ, and electroporating cells defining the organ by delivering to the cells an amount of energy effective to electroporate the cells. The present invention is also directed towards materials and methods of expressing heterologous polypeptides in organs of a subject and electroporating cells defining the organ by delivering to the cells an amount of energy effective to electroporate the cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: VGX PHARMACEUTICALS, LLCInventor: Ruxandra Draghia-Akli
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Patent number: 7664545Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular electrode system, and its use, for facilitating the introduction of a macromolecule into cells of a selected tissue in a body or plant. The modular electrode system comprises a non-symmetrically arranged plurality of needle electrodes; a hypodermic needle; an electrical connector that provides a conductive link from a programmable constant-current pulse controller to the plurality of needle electrodes; and a power source. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an operator can grasp the plurality of needle electrodes that are mounted on a support structure and firmly insert the them into the selected tissue in a body or plant. The macromolecules are then delivered via the hypodermic needle into the selected tissue. The programmable constant-current pulse controller is activated and constant-current electrical pulse is applied to the plurality of needle electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Allan Westersten, William R. Wilkinson, Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Robert H. Carpenter, Douglas R. Kern